The American Girls News (initially the Pleasant Times) is a brand-informative newspaper, released as a predecessor to the The American Girls Club. The first issue was released with the start of the club in 1993, and the final issue was released in 1999(?). It functioned as a club and brand newsletter and featured doll news, reader-submitted stories, and activities.
Pleasant Times[]
Pleasant Times was the first iteration of the newspaper. It began before the start of The American Girls Club and Historical Society and was a black-and-white publication that started no later than 1993. Four to six issues were released per year by season. The later club membership kit came with a special introductory issue.
Article topics included:
- Company news, such as Addy's release (Fall 1993) and Josefina's release (1997)
- Member-submitted stories, such as American Girl dolls surviving Hurricane Andrew (fall 1993) and a vacation story from a girl who took Samantha to historical sites (spring 1994).
- Upcoming American Girl events, such as Connie Porter book signing locations and dates (fall 1993, spring 1994).
- Photos and stories about recent events, such as the American Girl Fashion Show.
- "That's a Good Question!" with member-submitted questions about American Girl
- Member-submitted art and poetry about the American Girls
- Doll hairstyle tutorials and craft activities
- Puzzles and word games
The American Girls News[]
The newspaper rebranded to The American Girls News by 1996 with the launch of the club and started the volume numbers again; issues were released bi-monthly and sent to children with a Club Membership. Early editions of this paper were black and white, and it was released in full color by 1997.
The club's introductory issue was a revamped version of the Pleasant Times introductory issue, and later integrated Josefina after her release.